Could you share a brief introduction about yourself?
I’m from Syracuse, NY, and started out going to punk shows and listening to music I would pick up on trips to the local record store as a kid. It blossomed into a love for hardcore and a dedication to straight edge.
Tell us about your interests and passions.
I am super passionate about animal rights and activism for animals. I am vegan outside of its ties to hardcore, and protecting animals has always been one of my biggest ethical fights. I aspire to work in active rescue one day, or something similar. Ideally, I would love to become a certified veterinary technician as well.
I am currently in a band called XThreat, a straight edge band from Syracuse, NY. We just put out a demo in December, and I am so proud to be able to write and share a straight edge message.
What’s currently on your playlist?
I will listen to whatever my friends tell me to, haha. But personally, I love to just put on Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Uniform Choice—all that stuff with original and simple messages. I love youth crew, ’80s/’90s stuff.
How do you define straight edge?
Straight Edge for me is a rejection of the power drugs, alcohol, and harmful sex have on our society. I know it’s controversial, but I am anti–hookup culture, which I believe can be equally as addicting and damaging as drugs and alcohol.
Sobriety is amazing and hard to achieve. I support and love anyone who is struggling to be sober or is currently sober. Sobriety is challenging for many, and I don’t want to be ignorant to that, but it isn’t always permanent.
Straight edge, to me, is an utter refusal. A commitment. A discipline. It’s not for everyone, but it is for anyone.
How important is music to your relationship with straight edge?
I have always been under the personal belief that music is the foundation of straight edge. Hardcore is great for that, but there are straight edge bands in nearly any genre now—it’s awesome. I feel like it’s so important to get messages of straight edge out to other people, especially in DIY scenes where so many might be struggling with substances.
I’m not the guy to call the shots on who is straight edge, but I always feel a little funny about someone claiming straight edge without going to shows.
What’s your straight edge story?
I started identifying as straight edge a year ago, on December 31, 2022. I lost a very special person in my life to an accidental overdose earlier that month. I saw how my family coped with it by drinking and using. My father was an addict. I lived with someone I never felt safe or protected by.
Drugs and alcohol have destroyed the lives, ambitions, and dreams of my entire family and many of my friends.
There’s a moment when you have to wake up and really take a look around you. I realized where I was headed and knew it wasn’t for me. I refused to participate in the things that have killed my loved ones.
Being straight edge is an essential part of my character and my biggest achievement.
How has straight edge influenced your relationships?
Straight edge is funny because it makes me different to whatever group I am around. I’m in some weird “gang” from my families perspective. I am an “elitist” to some of the people in my scene. I am “strong” according to my boyfriend and closest friends. It’s really funny and really telling how people react to me being straight edge. Usually it tells me everything I need to know if someone is mad at me for NOT doing something.
Looking back, is there anything about path into and through straight edge that you would do differently?
Of course. I’m learning every single day. I wish I never claimed to know anything, because I don’t, really. My goal is to become a sponge, just absorbing all I can. I also regret my initial negativity. I hated these substances and what they took from me. But I have friends and loved ones who need me, and I want to be a positive force. I really want to push myself into being more positive.
True or False: “If you’re not now, you never were”?
I think some people come to straight edge for the wrong reasons.
If you’re about it, doing it for you, and you really believe the words you read and say, you will be alright. Hearing about people breaking edge is strange to me. Life is full of disappointments and loss, and turning to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with those things is so far out of the question, in my opinion. My personal opinion is, if you used to be sober, great. But you were never straight edge.
Have you encountered any challenges or misconceptions about being straight edge?
Of course. Everyone “knows” everything now. I have been called a pretentious asshole by people who have never talked to me. I am anxious, soft-spoken, and really relaxed most of the time. I think it’s so funny to assume a straight edge person is inherently going to try and change you or preach to you. Most of us just want to write music, go to shows, or be a positive force in our scene. The negativity that is put on us is usually from outside.
Do you feel that your gender or age has influenced your experience within the straight edge and hardcore scenes?
I’m younger, which is beneficial in a scene for the youth. My gender identity has never seemed to play a part in anything. I really believe if you are excited and eager about straight edge or music, you’re fine. As corny as it seems, being yourself will get you the furthest. Pretending or posing is see-through. I also have the attitude that if someone thinks of me differently for being a “woman” in the scene, then that is weird.
In your view, how inclusive is the straight edge scene?
I have been lucky to always feel embraced by the straight edge scene, but like anything, there is always room for growth. I think seeking harm reduction is something that could dramatically help in the stride for unity. You can be straight edge and care for those around you who drink or use. I mean that across the board, too—understanding that everyone lives differently is important. I was only ever straight edge because I was around other supportive and kind straight edge people.
Have you observed any evolution in the straight edge scene regarding acceptance and diversity?
I can’t say I have been around long enough to see any evolution that would be dramatic enough for me, but I would love to see a growing number of women and nonbinary people claiming straight edge.
This interview has been lightly edited for grammar and punctuation. All responses reflect the interviewee’s original words and meaning.
